Re: The art of travelling between Bangalore - Mangalore/Udupi Hi All, I am just back from Kundapur taking my brand new Bull (T Fort) on "short ride" along the west coast.
Started at 5.30 am from Sarjapur Road on 10th November, had go into the city, to meet my good childhood friend, Dodda Ganapati, to take his blessings. Proceeded to the NICE road at PES college entry, though was tempted to take the new ORR to Yeshwanthpur, but did not want to take a chance as had not done it before, so it was NICE Road, for the next 150 odd KMS till Bellur Cross, absolute breeze, not sure if it has to do with people in Karnataka or it was holiday mood, that I found no tractors to avoid.
From Bellur Cross, passing thro' Channarayapatna is challenge on weekends due to Shandy, Bypassed Hassan and on way to Sakleshpur. Breakfast at Kamath's near CR Patna, good that I had it there, because tried Surabhi's at Sakleshpur on the way back, it was absolute crap and just paid and walked out, please avoid.
After Sakleshpur, once in Shirady Ghats, the next 20 odd KMS is bad at the turns, which is difficult for smaller cars but not for the Bull at my command, so off I went by the Forest Check post and Gundya, took a left to Kukke,the road to Kukke from the Highway was very good, no issues at all, reached Kukke at about 10 am. Abolutely no rush, went and had darshan, spent some time and headed towards Dharmasthala. I should have taken advice by fellow BHPians, but we are humans, and always want to be different, got advice to take the other road 8 kms less to Dharmasthala instead of driving back to Gundya, this lit up like a the "Goli Shot advt" of Cadbury's, took the adviced road, the next 7 kms was good, then the deviation to Dharmasthala was a nightmare, do not take this road, but please travel back to Gundya and then go on the highway, somehow managed to reach the highway and the turn to Dharmasthala was 100 meteres away took it and our ordeal did not end till Dharmasthala. Again no rush, parked the vehicle in the shade as it was burning hot, reached the temple premises barefoot, a mistake, only to be told to go around the temple, when it was abolutely not required if only they had opened the small gate, maybe a way of penance, walking around was painful, both wife and myself had blisters on our feet, my son, the sprinter that he is, ran the distance and saved himself, finally managed darshan to our hearts content and reached the car with great difficulty and god's blessing was able to drive, off on our way to Mangalore.
We took the road Dharmastala - Ujire - Belthangady-BC Road- Mangalore, had lunch at Ujire, Disha Restaurant, nice place and good food, could not have food at the temple as we had blisters and sitting on the floor for me is fight. Had good lunch, bought cocount oil, as somebody had suggested that this would help control the blisters. Again enquired about the road to Mangalore, it was a interesting explanation by the shopkeeper, " Good Road road for 8 kms, No Road for 10 kms and Good road up to Mangalore" and mind you this is what you encounter, not sure how people manage.
Somehow managed to reach BC Road and then to Mangalore, stayed at Moti Mahal, as my policy never use your car for local sightseeing, for 2 reasons route and parking problems, engaged a taxi to go to Kateel and Gurupura, had good darshan at both places, but road to Kateel, about 3-4 kms after Bajpe is absolute mess, no roads but craters.
Next day wanted to visit Manjeshwar in Kerala, though 20 kms from Mangalore, the roads again are bad and narrow and being widened, finally cameback by 10 am and went about local sightseeing.
Next day started to Kundapur, the road is good, but deviations plenty, due to Holidays season, lesser maniacs to face, read bus drivers on the road, reached Kundapur in about 90 minutes. Lazed around in my friend's place, visited Anegudde in the evening.
Next day morning left for Kollur, the road from Kundapur is very good, again as luck would have it, no rush, had a good darshan and proceeded to my Hattiangadi, my annual pilgrimage, on my way back to Kundapur, finished darshan and returned to Kundapur.
The next 2 days did some interior driving to Byloor, Barkur and Vandar, surprisingly the interior roads were very good.
Started for Bangalore on Thursday, 15th November, at 6.30 am, first stop was Surabhi's at Sakleshpur at 10 am, started in 15 minutes, for reasons explained earlier, reached Nice Road Toll booth by 12.45 pm and back home by 3pm after a good meal at Upahara Darshini, my son's favourite, on South End Road.
Eventful journey and pleasant one after ready some harrowing experiences of Shirady Ghats |